Jared Polis

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 153 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 153) commending the University of Southern California Trojan football team for its victory in the 2009 Rose Bowl.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Southern California Trojan football team for their victory in the 2009 NCAA Rose Bowl game. On January 1, the USC Trojans and the Penn State Lions squared off for an intense Rose Bowl football game. Defeating the tough Lions team by a score of 38-24, the USC Trojans won their third consecutive championship. USC has played in a record-tying four consecutive Rose Bowls. And now, USC is tied for the most Bowl victories of all time at 31 victories. They have been to the Rose Bowl on 33 occasions and won 24 of those games. Winning 86 of its last 96 games and finishing the season with an impressive 12-1 record, USC stands out as a premiere academic and athletic institution. They have won seven consecutive Pac-10 conference championships. With all the amazing teams across the country, USC sets themselves apart with their athletic success. Congratulations are in order for Mark Sanchez, the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player. He threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, and he still found a way to rush for one touchdown. He ran the offense flawlessly, with no interceptions, while posting 24 unanswered points in the second quarter, leading to a 38-24 victory. Congratulations are also in order for Kaluka Maiava, the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player. Mr. Maiava made four tackles and two pass breakups. As one of the three elite USC linebackers, Kaluka Maiava has led USC's number one ranked defense this entire season. I want to extend my congratulations to head coach Pete Carroll. He has only brought success to this program; he took over 8 years ago. Coach Carroll has established an 88-15 win-loss record at USC--the best winning percentage of any current NCAA Division I coach with at least 5 years experience. Besides coaching, Coach Carroll works with non-profit organizations to reduce gang violence in Los Angeles, California. His leadership and commitment to his team and city have brought him fame and a place in college football history. The extraordinary achievement this year is a tribute to the skill and dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, families and fans that have helped make the University of California a great football program. I know the fans of the University will revel in this accomplishment as they look forward to the 2009 season. Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Southern California football team for their success. And I thank Congresswoman Watson for bringing this resolution forward. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentlelady from California (Ms. Watson) for 5 minutes.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 146, which recognizes March 2, 2009, as Read Across America Day and encourages parents to read to their children for at least 30 minutes in support of building a Nation of readers. Read Across America Day was initiated in May of 1998 by the National Education Association as a way to celebrate reading. The NEA provides support to parents and teachers to keep their children reading all year long through activities such as the Cat-A-Van. The Cat-A-Van travels across the country bringing the gift of reading to school children. The Cat-A-Van donates 20,000 books to children in need. The NEA celebrates Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' birthday every year to honor a man who contributed tremendously to children's literacy. Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss by millions of children and parents around the world, began writing children's books in 1936 and has since inspired millions of children to embrace the joys of reading through such favorites as ``The Cat in the Hat, ``Green Eggs and Ham,'' and ``Oh the Places You'll Go.'' We know from the research that children exposed to the nature and purpose of reading before kindergarten become more successful readers. We also know that a child who fails at reading is more likely to drop out of school. If the United States is to stay competitive in a global economy, we must possess these basic requirements for a quality education and professional success. Encouraging children to read is one of the best tools we can equip our children with to help them become successful contributors to the United States. I want to thank Representatives Markey and Ehlers for bringing this resolution forward, and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 146 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 146) designating March 2, 2009, as ``Read Across America Day.''

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentlelady from my neighboring district in Colorado (Ms. Markey) for 5 minutes.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, which celebrates the University of Mary Washington's 100 years of service and leadership. Founded in 1908, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg eventually became what is now known as the University of Mary Washington. Beginning with just 110 students, the school has grown into a prestigious university worthy of its namesake. Long-standing traditions, combined with rigorous scholarship, enable the University of Mary Washington to provide one of the finest liberal arts educations in the Nation. Offering more than 40 undergraduate majors, four graduate programs and seven education specialist programs, UMW is highly ranked in every publication. The university is committed to academic excellence, and according to the ``Fiske Guide to Colleges,'' UMW is described as ``one of the premium or premiere public liberal arts colleges in the country.'' During its centennial year alone, UMW conferred more than 1,200 degrees. With more than 5,000 enrolled students, the University of Mary Washington turns out students capable of extending their classroom knowledge into their communities and the world. UMW has a strong reputation of service, with 20 alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps. In fact, for the sixth year in a row, the Peace Corps has named the university to its annual list of ``Top Producing Colleges and Universities.'' The spirit of service has benefited the community and the students well as they prepare to tackle the challenges of our increasingly globalized world. When the university community came together to celebrate its century of existence and achievement last year, it renewed its commitment to excellence and success. As the university looks ahead to its future, may it continue to link its students and its community to the great tradition of its past and promise of its future. Mr. Speaker, I, again, congratulate the University of Mary Washington and urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 77 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 77) congratulating the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for more than 100 years of service and leadership to the United States.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 91, which honors the life and achievements of Dr. William Spoelhof, a long-time president of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Spoelhof, a decorated war hero, a dedicated member of the Christian Reformed Church and father of three, passed away at the age of 98 on December 3, 2008. Born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1909, Dr. Spoelhof graduated from Calvin College in 1931 and began teaching social studies in a local middle school. He left to pursue a Master of Arts degree, first at Columbia University, then transferring to the University of Michigan where he received his degree in 1937, beginning his doctoral studies immediately afterwards. He deferred his studies during World War II, serving our Nation in the Office of Strategic Services, then enlisting in the Navy. The Navy recognized his service by awarding him a Bronze Star Medal, and for his efforts with the Dutch Resistance Movement, Dr. Spoelhof was honored by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands with the order of Orange-Nassau. After receiving his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1946, Spoelhof returned to Calvin College to begin his long and distinguished career there. He began teaching history and political science at the college, and became president in 1951. Dr. Spoelhof was a dedicated member of the Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, which had a very close relationship with Calvin College. Dr. Spoelhof effectively led the college through church conflicts and student protests of the turbulent 1960s as well as oversaw Calvin College's move from its Franklin Street location to its current Knollcrest campus. Today, one of the principal buildings in this 400-acre campus is the William Spoelhof College Center. After 25 years of service to Calvin College, Dr. Spoelhof retired in 1976 as the longest serving president in the college's history. After his formal retirement, Dr. Spoelhof was named president emeritus, maintaining an office and continuing to act as a mentor for countless faculty members, staff and students. He was also honored by a Calvin College professor, Larry Molnar, who discovered an asteroid in 2004 and named it ``Spoelhof.'' Dr. Spoelhof and his wife, Angeline Nydam, who passed away in 1994, had three children together: Robert, Peter and Elsa Scherphorn. A committed servant and role model in his community, William Spoelhof's dedication to his college, his church and his country sets a prime example for our Nation to follow. I would like to have this opportunity to recognize his life and accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 91) honoring the life and service of Dr. William Spoelhof, president emeritus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as amended.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record on House Resolution 91.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. I thank Chairman Obey and his staff for their hard work and leadership on this legislation. This bill funds essential education, health care and renewable energy programs which, especially in these tough economic times, we cannot afford to let fall behind. In addition, by reducing funding for ineffective initiatives, this bill promotes efficiency and echos President Obama's call for fiscal responsibility last night. Many districts and States across the Nation will benefit greatly from this legislation. My district in Colorado is an excellent example. We are home to a significant science and technology presence--the Space Science Institute, Sun Microsystems, the Nation's first Smart Grid City of Boulder, Colorado, NOAA, NCAR, and NIST. This bill provides $394 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for climate research and $819 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to promote American scientific competitiveness. This bill will provide the resources to sustain important educational programs for America's young people. It increases funding to each of the four Head Start programs in my district, helping Colorado's low- income kids achieve a competitive edge in their future learning, access to financial aid and Pell Grants, making college increasingly important in this competitive economy more affordable. It also provides a much needed boost in the funding to support community health centers, which provide insured and uninsured Coloradans access to preventative and emergency health care. This bill increases funding for public lands such as the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado that have been neglected for far too long. It provides the resources necessary for the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to clean our air and water, and it funds important programs that address climate change and energy independence with substantial money invested in community programs and awareness. I didn't come to Congress to place blame for our problems or to bicker about partisan solutions. I came to Washington to be part of the solution and to create opportunity. If we want to protect the American dream for our communities and stabilize our economy, we need to support our core programs and services upon which we all rely. This bill is another important step in the right direction.

Mr. POLIS of Colorado

Mr. POLIS of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Obey, Chairman Miller, and all of my colleagues for doing what this crisis demands and for doing what the American people have asked us to do. This is no ordinary economic downturn. It is a rapid meltdown that threatens the very foundations of our capitalist system. The Bush administration took a record budget surplus and left us the largest deficit in U.S. history. Our national debt has doubled, and the amount we owe to foreign countries has tripled. Five million Americans no longer have health insurance, and 7.6 million families have fallen into poverty. The laundry list of mistakes from the previous administration's failed policies has left us no choice but to take swift and decisive action to tackle these challenges head on. This landmark legislation represents a new chapter and a new direction for our great Nation. By creating 3.5 million jobs and by investing in our infrastructure--physical and human--we are taking immediate action to restore growth and prosperity to the American people. Americans understand that a healthy environment goes hand in hand with a healthy economy. This bill gives States and renewable energy producers the tools they need to green our energy infrastructure. It promotes a green workforce, spurs green innovation and invests heavily in our public lands. It does this while creating new and long-lasting jobs that will make our country the economic, scientific and environmental leader that it once was and once again will be. Madam Speaker, we can and will regain the world's confidence in our economy. We will retain our global competitiveness, and we will, indeed, save capitalism and free enterprise with one of the largest tax cuts ever. With its robust commitment to our education system, this legislation invests in our children's future and paves the way for generations of success. Education is the only meaningful, long-term investment we can make to stimulate the American economy, and there is no better way to remain the world's leader in innovation.

Mr. POLIS of Colorado. I applaud President Obama and my colleagues in both Chambers for working hard to ensure that education from early childhood through college is an important part of the recovery package. Again, I applaud the tireless efforts of all those involved in the crafting and in the negotiation of this historic legislation.

Mr. POLIS of Colorado

Mr. POLIS of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. POLIS of Colorado

Mr. POLIS of Colorado. If I may address that. The Energy and Commerce Committee actually had nine hearings on this very matter.

Mr. POLIS of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo).